A FLINTSHIRE pub is celebrating a momentous birthday this year after nearly half a millennium of serving ale to locals.

The Glan yr Afon Inn in Dolphin, near Holywell, will be holding events throughout the year to mark its 450th birthday.

Landlord Chris Windley said: “When the pub started off in 1559 it was a beer house for farmers and miners.

“It has had a really interesting history. It was allegedly the location of the world’s first case of industrial espionage when two French spies lodging at the pub were overheard by the landlord discussing the copper-bottoming process which was used in Greenfield and Holywell to make ships sail faster.

“He thought they were trying to uncover the secrets of the process and informed the police.”

Another claim to fame for the pub is its mention in the Guinness Book of Records, for being owned by the same family for 400 years.

Chris, who took over the pub in 2005, said: “It has been here through hard times and good times.

“It’s not a great time for pubs at the moment but we have done a lot of work to keep people coming here.”

To mark its anniversary, the pub is to create its very own beer.

Facers brewery will be dreaming up an ale specifically for the pub.

Birthday celebrations will start with a medieval-themed banquet next Friday, February 27.

Guests are encouraged to dress up in outfits from any time period between 1559 and 2009.

Tickets cost £18, with free drinks for anyone in costume, and the banquet will be followed by a disco.

For more information call 01352 710052 or visit the pub’s website at www.glanyrafoninn.co.uk.